MJ Mad Dog

Author: Michael James

  • Week 195 – Dec 9th – Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers

    Blackburn Rovers 0 Leeds United 2 – HT – 0-1

    James (27), Summerville (75)

    Assists

    Rutter (27), Gray (75)

    Daniel James grabbed his third goal in three games as in-form Leeds United made it six Championship wins from seven with a clinical performance against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

    James drilled a fine low shot beyond keeper Leopold Wahlstedt and into the corner to put the visitors ahead after an uneventful first half.

    Rovers, who have now lost six league games at home already this season, improved after the break and started to create chances, notably when Hayden Carter headed over.

    But the impressive Crysencio Summerville wrapped up a victory that closes the gap on second-placed Ipswich to four points, before the afternoon kick-offs, with a clever, chipped finish as he ran through on goal.

    This is great run of form by Leeds, hopefully they can keep it up in this busy month of December, especially around the Christmas and New Year crazy run of fixtures.

    Marching On Together 

    League position 3rd after 20 games

  • Week 195 – Dec 8th Car tax

    So after the fun and games with the car insurance the other week, see previous posting; I wasn’t expecting this today.

    I got a letter from the DVLA for the car tax payment and thought that was early, as we got the car in January and then I saw the amount and I thought this was a spam letter.

    So I logged on the government website to pay and I got to the price section and yes my car tax was £560.

    I rang them to find out why, but whilst waiting, I found something on the site and it was down to the value of the car. This had actually been in place since 2017, I thought they kept that hidden well.

    The other great thing is, this is cost for the next 4 years as well, before it drops down to the normal tax, which is £180 at the moment. I thought having a hybrid car would reduce the tax.

    There goes Claire’s Christmas presents.

  • Week – 195 – Dec 7th – Information gathering

    This afternoon, I updated my preferences on the UK government website to receive emails regarding

    Census: 2021 Census outputs

    Admin-based population statistics

    Ageing

    Crime and justice statistics

    Mortality and life expectancy

    Office for Statistics Regulation newsletter

    The Highway Code: change to rules

    I thought it would be good to receive information regarding these subjects.

  • Week 194 – Dec 3rd – Christmas decorations up

    As its December, we decided to put the Christmas tree and decorations up.

    Can you see what’s missing from the Christmas tree?

    Christmas
    Christmas tree in all its splendour. Our special Father Christmas as already delivered present under the tree. Helps to have hot line to the top man.

    Chritmas
    Our newest Father Christmas.

    Christmas
    Father Christmas is everywhere.

  • Week 194 – Nov 27th – Hastings Direct

    So the car insurance battle continued today with the help of Ziya.

    As mentioned in there commercials, Direct Line and NFU are not on the comparison websites, so I rang them this morning. I’m not surprised they aren’t, they both gave me quotes of over £1,500.

    Again I don’t see how this is justified when I have had no incident in the last 12 months, well touch wood, for many years.

    So looking at the comparison sites, I ended up choosing Hastings Direct, as that came in at £718, so just over a £100 increase.

    Yes you expect an increase, that’s just how it is, but NOT by nearly doubling it. It shouldn’t be like this every year, having to hunt around for the best price, it’s as if they don’t want you as a customer.

  • Week 193 – Nov 25th – Took advantage of Black Friday

    As we seem to take many things from America good or bad. I took advantage of the Black Friday sales today and purchase some items saving over 50% on the original price.

    With the cost of living, everything helps.

  • Week 193 – Nov 25th – DBS update

    This morning I received an email from the ECB, saying that my DBS status was updated and all good.

    “This email is confirmation that England and Wales Cricket Board has successfully completed a status check of your DBS certificate.

    You are cleared to continue carrying out regulated activities with England and Wales Cricket Board until 23/11/2024.”

    Always good to know.

  • Week 193 – Nov 24th – Really

    This morning I received the email I was dreading regarding car insurance, after reading some horror stories throughout the year with the ridiculous increases.

    Sure enough, when I logged on to the Tesco portal, the car insurance had gone up from £613 to £1,145. An increase of £532, so not far short of doubling it. How can that be justified?

    I haven’t had an incident in the last year. Just complete madness,

    I rang them up and all they could get me down to was £938. We are also Tesco club card members which is reducing the cost already.  I said that was still a too bigger jumper and would look around.

    It’s down to an increase in accidents and cost to repair electric cars, so I can only see this going up with the goal to move to electric cars.

    So with the help of Ziya, I decided to look around.

    Look out for a further blog update with the final outcome

  • Week 193 – Nov 23rd – Waxing Gibbous 82%

    Though it was still later afternoon, just after 4pm. I took these pictures of Waxing Gibbous moon.

    I think they have come out pretty well, do you agree?

    Moon
    Capturing the late afternoon moon waxing
    Moon
    Moon

    Moon

  • Week 193 – Nov 23rd – Autumn statement

    After the chancellor autumn statement yesterday afternoon and receiving a document from my financial advisor. I asked if there would be any impact on us.

    This was the response I got back –

    “The NI cut will help Claire as of January. Should be a decent monthly difference to take home pay.

    Savings rates are looking good, with Cash ISAs and Premium Bonds preferable (as tax is starting to touch on people’s earned interest). Largely, with inflation cooling as hoped, interest rates should have peaked, then we’ve seen some a very good turnaround this month for you portfolio (4%ish just during November) helped by some positive comments from the US Federal Reserve backed up by the Bank of England recently. So sentiment seems to have moved a lot and the outlook is improving. Fingers crossed for a better year ahead.”

    Hopefully this will be case after a bumpy ride this year with the markets.

    Happy to recommend my financial advisor too.

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